2 Samuel 1
1
David Mourns Saul and Jonathan
1Now it came to pass after the death of Saul—when David had returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites—that David stayed two days in Ziklag.
2On the third day, behold, a man came from Saul’s camp, with his clothes torn and dust on his head. Now when he approached David, he fell to the ground and prostrated himself.
3Then David asked him, “Where are you coming from?” “I’ve escaped from the camp of Israel,” he answered.
4“How did things go?” David asked him. “Please, tell me.” He answered, “The troops fled the battlefield—also many of the troops fell and died. And even Saul and his son Jonathan are dead.”
5David asked the young man informing him, “How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?”
6The young man informing him answered, “I happened by chance to be on Mount Gilboa, and look, Saul was leaning on his spear, while the chariots and the horsemen were closing in on him.
7When he turned around and saw me, he called me. So I answered, ‘Here I am.’
8Then he asked me, ‘Who are you?’ “So I answered him, ‘I am an Amalekite.’
9So he said to me, ‘Stand now over me and kill me! For I’m in agony, yet I’m still alive.’
10So I stood over him and killed him, because I knew he couldn’t survive after he had fallen. Then I took the crown that was on his head and the bracelet that was on his arm, and brought them here—to my lord.”
11Then David took hold of his clothes and tore them, and so did all the men that were with him,
12and they mourned, wept and fasted until evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, for the troops of Adonai and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.
13Then David said to the young man who informed him, “Where are you from?” “I am a son of an Amalekite outsider,” he replied.
14Then David said to him, “How is it that you were not afraid to stretch out your hand to destroy Adonai’s anointed one?”
15Then David called one of the young men and said, “Come and strike him down.” And he struck him down and he died.
16David said to him, “Your blood is on your own head, for your mouth testified against you saying, ‘I killed Adonai’s anointed.’”
17Then David chanted this lament over Saul and his son Jonathan,
18and ordered that the sons of Judah be taught the “Song of the Bow.” (Behold, it is written in the Book of Jashar):
19“Your glory, O Israel, is slain on your high places! How the mighty have fallen!
20Tell it not in Gath, proclaim it not in Ashkelon’s streets, lest Philistine daughters rejoice, lest daughters of the uncircumcised gloat!
21Hills of Gilboa, let no dew or rain be on you, nor on bountiful fields, for there the shield of the mighty ones lay defiled—Saul’s shield will no longer be anointed with oil.
22From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, Jonathan’s bow never turned back, Saul’s sword never returned empty.
23Saul and Jonathan, loved and delightful, parted neither in life nor death. They were swifter than eagles, stronger than lions.
24Daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet and finery, who put ornaments of gold on your clothes.
25How the mighty have fallen in the midst of the battle! Jonathan on your heights is slain!
26I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan! Very pleasing were you to me. Wonderful was your love to me more than the love of women.
27How the mighty have fallen, and the weapons of war destroyed!
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Copyright © 2014 - Messianic Jewish Family Bible Society
2 Samuel 1
1
David Finds Out about Saul's Death
1Saul was dead.
Meanwhile, David had defeated the Amalekites and returned to Ziklag. 2Three days later, a soldier came from Saul's army. His clothes were torn, and dirt was on his head.#1.2 His clothes … his head: People tore their clothes and put dirt on their heads to show they were sad because someone had died. He went to David and knelt down in front of him.
3David asked, “Where did you come from?”
The man answered, “From Israel's army. I barely escaped with my life.”
4“Who won the battle?” David asked.
The man said, “Our army turned and ran, but many were wounded and died. Even King Saul and his son Jonathan are dead.”
5David asked, “How do you know Saul and Jonathan are dead?”
6 #
1 S 31.1-6; 1 Ch 10.1-6. The young man replied:
I was on Mount Gilboa and saw King Saul leaning on his spear. The enemy's war chariots and cavalry were closing in on him. 7When he turned around and saw me, he called me over. I went and asked what he wanted.
8Saul asked me, “Who are you?”
“An Amalekite,” I answered.
9Then he said, “Kill me! I'm dying, and I'm in terrible pain.”#1.9 in terrible pain: Or “very weak.”
10So I killed him. I knew he was too badly wounded to live much longer. Then I took his crown and his arm-band, and I brought them to you, Your Majesty. Here they are.
11At once, David and his soldiers tore their clothes in sorrow. 12They cried all day long and would not eat anything. Everyone was sad because Saul, his son Jonathan, and many of the Lord's people had been killed in the battle.
13David asked the young man, “Where is your home?”
The man replied, “My father is an Amalekite, but we live in Israel.”
14-16David said to him, “Why weren't you afraid to kill the Lord's chosen king? And you even told what you did. It's your own fault that you're going to die!”
Then David told one of his soldiers, “Come here and kill this man!”
David Sings in Memory of Saul
17David sang a song in memory of Saul and Jonathan, 18#Js 10.13. and he ordered his men to teach the song to everyone in Judah. He called it “The Song of the Bow,” and it can be found in The Book of Jashar.#1.18 The Book of Jashar: This book may have been a collection of ancient war songs. This is the song:
19Israel, your famous hero
lies dead on the hills,
and your mighty warriors
have fallen!
20Don't tell it in Gath
or spread the news
on the streets of Ashkelon.
The godless Philistine women
will be happy
and jump for joy.
21Don't let dew or rain fall
on the hills of Gilboa.
Don't let its fields
grow offerings for God.#1.21 Don't let its fields … for God: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
There the warriors' shields
were smeared with mud,
and Saul's own shield
was left unpolished.#1.21 unpolished: Some shields were made of leather and were polished with olive oil.
22The arrows of Jonathan struck,
and warriors died.
The sword of Saul cut
the enemy apart.
23It was easy to love Saul
and Jonathan.
Together in life,
together in death,
they were faster than eagles
and stronger than lions.
24Women of Israel, cry for Saul.
He brought you fine red cloth
and jewelry made of gold.
25Our warriors have fallen
in the heat of battle,
and Jonathan lies dead
on the hills of Gilboa.
26Jonathan, I miss you most!
I loved you
like a brother.
You were truly loyal to me,
more faithful than a wife
to her husband.#1.26 You … husband: Or “You loved me more than a wife could possibly love her husband.”
27Our warriors have fallen,
and their weapons#1.27 weapons: This may refer to Saul and Jonathan.
are destroyed.
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Contemporary English Version, Second Edition (CEV®)
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